Computerized databases, which can be searched by text strings or key words, rarely feature “original” organization. Under [the Supreme Court’s ]Feist [decision], no matter how many resources were invested in creating a complex database, it would not be protected by copyright law. As a result, database creators today protect their investment through contracts and high user fees – disfavored by NII proponents’ emphasis on open access.
Predictor: Cate, Fred
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “The Information Revolution,” edited by Donald Altschiller, carries a reprint of the 1994, Stanford Law & Policy Review article “The National Information Infrastructure: Policymaking and Policymakers” by Fred Cate. Cate discusses the role of government in information policy making. He writes: ”U.S. copyright law protects only original expression. The Supreme Court held in Feist that a compilation, such as a database, can be copyrighted only ‘if it features an original selection or arrangement of facts,’ and the copyright protection is ‘limited to the particular selection or arrangement.’ Computerized databases, which can be searched by text strings or key words, rarely feature ‘original’ organization. Under Feist, no matter how many resources were invested in creating a complex database, it would not be protected by copyright law. As a result, database creators today protect their investment through contracts and high user fees – disfavored by NII proponents’ emphasis on open access.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Copyright/Intellectual Property/Plagiarism
Name of publication: The Information Revolution (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: The National Information Infrastructure: Policymaking and Policymakers
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 159, 160
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne